Dear Spartan Community,
As we enter the final weeks of the semester, our campus comes alive with an energy that reflects both celebration and intensity. Across our university, we are recognizing achievements, preparing for commencement, and marking milestones that represent months and often years of dedication, perseverance, and growth.
Spring is always a powerful reminder of what it means to be part of an academic community. Our students’ accomplishments are made possible through the commitment of our faculty and staff, and together, we celebrate the collective progress that defines San José State University.
At the same time, I know this season can bring pressure. Final exams, project deadlines, career decisions, and personal transitions all converge in these closing weeks. Whether you are completing a course, finishing a major project, or preparing for what comes next, these moments matter and they are not without challenge.
It is precisely because this time is so meaningful that it is especially difficult when our sense of community is disrupted.
I am deeply concerned and disheartened that recent incidents of antisemitic graffiti in campus facilities have introduced fear and pain into our shared environment. While University Police and law enforcement partners have assessed that there is no evidence of credible threat following the hateful messages found yesterday in bathroom stalls in the Art and Design Building and the Student Union, the fear and hatred felt as a result of this graffiti is genuine.
We must acknowledge that the impact is real. Acts like these affect how people feel on our campus, and that matters, especially for our Jewish students, faculty, and staff, who are forced to bear the impact of this hateful graffiti much more personally.
Let me be clear. I condemn antisemitism and all forms of hate. These acts stand in direct opposition to our values as a university committed to inclusion, dignity, and respect. I call on all Spartans to reject hate and violence.
In addition, recent events in the surrounding community, including law enforcement activity that temporarily closed streets near campus, have reminded us of the realities of being a downtown, urban university. These disruptions create inconvenience and uncertainty, particularly during an already demanding time in the semester.
Taken together, these moments call on us to be intentional in how we support one another.
San José State is, and must remain, a place where people feel safe, supported, and able to fully engage in their academic and personal journeys. Safety is not only the responsibility of our public safety professionals. It is a shared commitment across our community.
I ask each of you to stay aware, to look out for one another, and to take action when needed. If you see something concerning, report it to the University Police or on the Spartan Safe app. Your vigilance helps protect our community.
Equally important is how we care for one another. A simple check-in, a kind word, or offering support to a colleague or classmate can have a meaningful impact. Spartans take care of Spartans, and that commitment is most important in moments like these.
If you are in need of support, I encourage you to use the resources available to you.
